Dear Families,
My mother and stepfather moved from their 90-acre farm to an assisted living facility this past week. For years, our summer vacation consisted of making the drive from Wisconsin to Minnesota to spend a couple of weeks on the farm. My children would ride horses, play with the kittens, enjoy tractor rides and play with their cousins. It was a wonderful way to enjoy quality time with family! Moving my parents off the farm signals the end of an era for us.
When my family would visit the farm, my children would joyfully accompany my mother while she moved through her morning chores. In particular, the kids loved watching her collect freshly laid eggs. The hens would sit in their nesting boxes and wait for my mom to arrive in the morning. She would gingerly reach in under each hen and magically pull out an egg. The children were amazed by this process and carefully carried the basket of eggs back to the house as if they were carrying a precious treasure.
During one visit over Christmas break, my children trudged through the snow to assist my mother with her routine in the early morning and they noticed that the lights in the henhouse were on when they arrived. My mother explained that hens need 14 hours of light to lay eggs. In Minnesota, there is typically less than 12 hours of daylight during the winter months, so she left an incandescent light on to help the hens maintain their production.
Similarly, songbirds have a positive reaction to increased sunlight. This week I have noticed that the songbirds near my home have been happily greeting me as I make my way to the car in the morning. Although it might seem as if the warmer temperatures are impacting the birds, they are responding to the amount of time they are spending in the sun. The increased sunlight inspires them to announce the arrival of spring.
This phenomenon caused me to reflect upon how much time I spend in the “light” (the “sonlight” our Savior provides when we spend time in His presence). Inner peace and happiness is always available for us to experience. The “temperature” of our circumstances can bring us down and quickly choke out our sense of peace and elation. In fact, the birds this week have encouraged me to reinforce my inner joy which is naturally fostered by the light God provides.
You will make known to me the way of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; In Your right hand there are pleasures forever. (Psalm 16:11)
Thank you for your support,
John K. Thornburg
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Monday, March 7
Day 1
Optional COVID-19 Testing
Masks Optional
Tuesday, March 8
Day 2
Wednesday, March 9
Day 3
Thursday, March 10
Day 4
Friday, March 11
Day 5
Praying of the Rosary - 7:30 AM
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Optional COVID-19 Testing on Monday, March 7
Optional COVID-19 testing will be available for students, faculty, and staff in the gymnasium from 7 - 8 AM.
Mask Policy
MC has begun a Mask Optional Phase and individuals entering the building may choose to wear or not wear a mask.
Masks however, will still be required for the following locations/situations:
- On school buses (including LBK transportation)
- In the Nurses’ Office
- On Days 6 - 10 after testing positive for COVID-19
- After having been identified as a close contact of someone who has tested positive for COVID-19
Please note that students who test positive for COVID-19 will be required to stay home for 5 days.
We are a community of respect, kindness and understanding. We ask that the members of our community respect the choice of those who decide to wear or those who decide to not wear a mask. Disrespect or bullying of any kind will not be tolerated.
With the shift to Mask Optional Phase, students are reminded that boys should be clean shaven daily, and visible face piercings are not allowed for MC students. This includes nose rings and/or lip piercings. Detentions will be given for policy violations and piercings will need to be removed.
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No Cost COVID-19 Testing at MC
The COVID-19 Testing Kiosk located in Malden Catholic's back parking lot will be open from 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM on Monday through Saturday. You can schedule an appointment through this link: https://cur.tv/malden.
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Mission of Deeds Annual Buy-a-Bed - 3.7 to 3.25 |
For many years, Malden Catholic has collaborated with Mission of Deeds as a service site for our student volunteers in support of the annual Buy-a-Bed campaign. Mission of Deeds is a non-profit charitable organization in Reading that gives beds, furniture and household items, free of charge, to people in need in over 90 Boston-North communities.
Members of Malden Catholic's Campus Ministry team are inviting MC students to support this year’s Buy-a-Bed Drive by donating any amount to the charity in Theology class by March 25. Theology teachers will accept daily cash donations and every contribution goes a long way toward buying a bed. Let’s see which Theology class can contribute the most!
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Spirit Week - 3.14 to 3.18 |
Malden Catholic Student Council is sponsoring a St. Patrick's Day Spirit Week that begins on Monday, March 14.
Monday, March 14
Tuesday, March 15
- Jersey Day - Students may wear the jersey of their favorite team or an MC jersey
- La Colaborativa's 3V3 Basketball Tournament - 2:30 PM in the gymnasium
Wednesday, March 16
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Luau Day
- Leadership Activity - 12:55 PM
- Pep Rally - 1:35 PM in the gymnasium
Thursday, March 17
- Mass celebrating both the Feast Day of St. Patrick and the Feast Day of St. Joseph - 1:00 PM
- Dress Down Day - Students may wear green for St. Patrick's Day
Friday, March 18
- No School - Faculty Professional Development Day
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La Colaborativa's 3V3 Basketball Tournament - 3.15 at 2:30 PM |
Be sure to sign up for La Colaborativa’s 3V3 Basketball Tournament which will be held on March 15 starting at 2:30 PM in the Doherty Gymnasium. Up to 16 teams can sign up during lunch periods during the week of March 7 and the cost is $20/team. Teams will need to register with a team name and fees will be collected at the time of registration. The following rules apply:
- 3 – 4 players may register for each team
- At least 3 of the registered players must be present at the start of the game or the team will forfeit
- No more than 1 varsity basketball player may be on a team
- Teams must have at least 1 player from each Division
- Teams may include faculty/staff
- Faculty and staff will be referees
- Games to 7 by ones
- Teams can wear team uniforms
- The 3V3 Championship Game will be held during the Spirit Week Pep Rally on March 16
- Donations will be recommended for spectators and all proceeds from the 3V3 Tournament will go to support La Colaborativa.
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Grade 11 Prom Tickets One Day Sale - 3.17 at 2:15 PM |
A one-day sale will be held on Thursday, March 17 at 2:15 PM in the cafeteria for students to purchase tickets for the Grade 11 Prom. Additional details will be announced this week. |
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MC Book Club Meeting - 3.22 at 6:30 PM |
The MC Parent Book Club Meeting will be held on Tuesday, March 22 at 6:30 PM via Zoom. The March MC Book Club will be discussing Mary Jane, a funny, wise, and tender novel about a fourteen-year-old girl’s coming of age in 1970s Baltimore, caught between her strait-laced family and the progressive family she nannies for—who happen to be secretly hiding a famous rock star and his movie star wife for the summer.
Meeting ID: 930 703 9967
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MC Leadership Series Featured Speaker: Mercedes Ramirez Johnson - 3.23 at 1:15 PM |
We are honored to welcome Mercedes Ramirez Johnson, who will speak live to the MC student body on Wednesday, March 23 at 1:15 PM as part of the MC Leadership Speaker Series. Mrs. Johnson is a survivor of a commercial airplane crash and now shares her story of "second chances" in schools and organizations across the U.S. and Canada.
Mercedes poses the question: what will you do with your second chance? Many people feel so overwhelmed by daily pressures and obligations that they find themselves in Survival Mode, operating with the assumption that there will always be a tomorrow in which they can fix today’s problems, right today’s wrongs and take care of the truly important things they wished they’d done today. Second Chance Living™ is a transformational program that moves participants to put their challenges in perspective and to carefully consider how the choices they make will profoundly affect their future. Mercedes’ message focuses on personal success, overcoming challenges and finding authentic fulfillment. Through her gripping, poignant and yet humorous account of her plane crash and long-fought recovery, Mercedes proves that everyone can achieve their dreams.
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National Honor Society Induction Ceremony - 3.24 at 6:30 PM |
The Brother Gilbert Chapter of the National Honor Society is pleased to announce that this year’s NHS Induction Ceremony for new members will take place on Thursday, March 24, 2022 at 6:30 PM. Each inductee will be able to invite two guests to this event. |
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Grades 9 & 10 Semi-Formal Dance - 3.25 at 7 PM |
The Malden Catholic Semi-Formal Dance for Grades 9 and 10 will be held on Friday, March 25 from 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM in the MC gymnasium. There will be a DJ, appetizers and refreshments for the students. Permission slips and checks for the ticket price of $35 will need to be submitted by Thursday, March 10 or Friday, March 11 after-school in the cafeteria to Mrs. Verrocchi and Mr. Grocki. Information regarding the Semi-Formal arrival, dismissal and attire policies can be found through this link. The Semi-Formal permission slip can be found through this link.
Please note that permission slips are required to take outside guests to the dance. Please see Mrs. Verrocchi or Mr. Grocki with any questions.
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MC Parent Club New Date - 3.29 at 6:00 PM |
Please note that the date for the next MC Parent Club meeting has been moved to March 29 at 6 PM. This meeting will be held in the cafeteria, and we will discuss the MC Summer Internship Program, along with opportunities and the application process.
Official Parent Facebook Group
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Purchase Tickets for MC's 90th Gala Celebration - 4.28 at 6:00 PM |
Tickets for the Malden Catholic's 90th Gala celebration are now available through this link. General admission Gala tickets are $175/person and Malden Catholic families receive a $75 discount by using the coupon code - PARENT90TH.
This amazing evening will be held on Thursday, April 28 at 6 PM in the Doherty Gymnasium and the event includes a Plus Ultra Award presentation, dinner and dancing to the sounds of the band, "Soul City"! 2022 is a momentous year for Malden Catholic – we are celebrating our 90th anniversary and the first class of Girls Division students to graduate in May 2022 along with the Boys Division. Truly, Malden Catholic is Leading Beyond all Expectations…generations of extraordinary young adults have and will continue to flourish from the education provided by this outstanding institution. The school has fostered and will continue to create men and women that exemplify leadership, character and success.
In this tradition, we are delighted to celebrate a couple who personify these pillars - Dr. Daniel J. McCarthy ’50 and Mrs. Margaret T. (Noonan) McCarthy GC ’50 as our Plus Ultra Honorees. Longtime benefactors of the school, Dr. and Mrs. McCarthy MC & GC 1950 have established scholarship funds for Malden Catholic Girls and Boys Divisions as well as a fund in memory of Margaret’s cousin Margaret M. Dunphy 1961. They are also members of the Plus Ultra and the Saint Francis Xavier Societies. We are most grateful to Margaret and Dan McCarthy for their tremendous dedication and commitment to Malden Catholic.
Please join us on this special occasion, our largest fundraising event of the year, as all proceeds directly benefit student scholarships and leadership programs.
In addition, starting on April 14, 2022, Malden Catholic High School will be auctioning off a number of fun and unique items to bid on to raise money in support of our students and our many programs. The more items we have the more money we can raise, so we're asking for your help. If you are interested in helping with the Online Gala Auction, please reach out to Sarah Hamilton at [email protected].
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What's Happening Around MC? |
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3rd Annual STEM Innovation Fair |
MC hosted the 3rd Annual STEM Innovation Fair on March 2. Nineteen MC students participated in the event, held in the cafeteria. The projects presented at the STEM Fair were judged by a panel from the Greater Boston area who work in the fields of engineering, biotech, pharmaceuticals and defense. Congratulations to the winners listed below! You may watch the video of the award presentation through this link.
First Place
Jayden Castano and Isaac Toscano
Practical Applications of Dragline Spider Silk
Category: Biochemistry
Second Place
Chengxiang (Eric) Lou
3D printed Mechanical Apparatus for microplastic degradation and recycling
Category: Environmental Sciences
Third Place
Ashley Reardon
The Effect of Vaping on Enamel
Category: Biochemistry
We would also like to thank the following judges who spent time with each student and evaluated the STEM projects: Mari Dilman. Doug Shattuck, Dave Chuckran, Vern Robertson, Gene Gueffries, David Diller, Sergio Toscano, Sam Oates, Virginio Chiodini, Frank Parisi, Chris Sparages and Gerard Shipps.
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Ash Wednesday Lenten Prayer Service |
Each year, Ash Wednesday marks the first day of the Lenten season and Malden Catholic celebrated with prayer service for the student body. We would like to thank the Campus Ministry team for a beautiful service. |
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Etymology and Roman Civilization Award Recipient |
Congratulations to Chi Vu '22 for earning a Bronze Medal on the National Classical Etymology Exam and a Silver Medal on the National Roman Civilization Exam! Way to go on this amazing accomplishment, Chi! |
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Congratulations to the MC Mock Trial team for a decisive victory last week over Carver High School in the MASS BAR state tournament Sweet Sixteen. The team will move on to the state quarterfinals this week. Great job, Lancers! |
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MC's Center for Leadership Program - "Anti-Bullying Squad" |
As part of MC's Center for Leadership, the “MC Anti-Bullying Squad," represented by Josh LoPresti ’23, Aiden Balandan ’23, Sebastian Vasquez ’23, Grace Damico ’23, Xhenisa Zajmi ’23 and Ashley Reardon ’23, met with fifth grade students from St. Patrick’s School in Stoneham via Zoom to talk about the topics of anti-bullying, inclusivity and kindness. The MC students also provided the middle school students with activities to foster greater kindness in and around the school community. Way to go, Lancers! |
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Student Council Birthday "Shout-Outs" |
Beginning in March, Student Council will announce a daily Happy Birthday message to all students and faculty who would like to be included in the celebratory shout-out. If students or faculty members have not already done so, they may sign up using the attached Student Form and the attached Staff/Faculty Form until Monday, March 7. |
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Students in MC's Art Club participated in an activity provided by the Memory Project, a non-profit organization that invites students to create portraits for youth around the world who have faced substantial challenges including neglect, abuse, loss of parents, and extreme poverty.
Members of MC's Art Club, Evelyn Maradiaga '22 and Leyna Nguyen '25, drew lifelike portraits from photographs provided to them by the Memory Project organization. Malden Catholic have been participating in the Memory Project drawings since 2011 and are delighted to continue the tradition.
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Malden Catholic hires Joe Gaff as its new head football...
As first reported by the Boston Herald earlier in the week, Malden Catholic officially announced today that it has hired Joe Gaff as its new head football coach. It is Gaff's second tour of duty at the school, previously served as the head coach...
Read more
www.bostonherald.com
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Upstart Malden Catholic knocks off Norwood in overtime
NORWOOD - The Malden Catholic girls hockey team had just nine players in the brand-new program's first season last year, and three of them were still learning to skate. Just 14 months later, that Lancers program can already add a playoff win to...
Read more
www.bostonherald.com
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Malden Catholic Spring Sports Registration
Registration for Malden Catholic spring sports is now open until March 12. All students must register through Family ID at https://hello.familyid.com/.
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School Store Is Now Open
The MC Spring 2022 School Store is open until March 13. Many items are customizable with name, number or sport! You may visit the school store through this link.
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MC Athletics Tournament Policy
All MC students are asked to abide by MC Athletics Tournament Policy which can be found through this link.
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Congratulations to the MC Boys Swim team for completing the 200 Medley Relay and beating their seed time at states last weekend. Way to go! |
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Congratulations to the Boys Varsity Hockey team for their victory against Woburn with a final score of 4-1. The MC Boys Varsity Hockey team will play the winner of Bishop Fenwick/Arlington in the next round. Go, Lancers! |
Congratulations to the Girls Varsity Basketball team for their win against Pope Francis with a final score of 66-40. We are looking forward to seeing the MC Girls Varsity Basketball team play in the next round against the winner of Littleton/Bourne. Way to go, MC! |
Congratulations to the Boys Varsity Basketball team for defeating Nauset with a final score of 85-36. The MC Boys Varsity Basketball team will play the winner of Agawam/Sharon in the next round. Let's go, Lancers! |
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